Dragons Blind Bride

A pale young girl lay restlessly on the bed, her face furrowed with pain as flashes of blood, knives, and a speeding car filled her mind.

Her eyes flew open as she gasped for air, her breath raspy. Her icy blue eyes greyed out devoid of light and stared into nothingness. Sweat had glued her black and white hair to her skin.

Ariella rubbed her forehead and sighed. These flashes from her past life came and went, occasionally recurring in dreams.

She could remember when she first arrived in this world- a helpless blind baby, dropped in the abyssal forest and left for the abyssal monsters that roam this world.

Avernon- a world where abyssal beasts, Dragons, and humans coexist.

"Ariella! Get up, it's time for the test." A voice called from outside the door.

Ariella's ears twitched toward the sound. Through her unique vision, she saw a human-shaped energy outline standing outside the door.

Seeing the aura- the only thing could perceive with her eyes- she responded calmly, already used to her friend's hasty nature.

"There's no rush. Even if we get there on time, the noble girls will go first, '' Ariella said as she stood up, feeling for her cane.

She found her clothes and her pale fingers traced the buttons as she fastened her top.

Her steps were confident as she left the room, fully familiar with the orphanage's layout.

She saw the greenish human-shaped aura brighten and knew Mary was excited for the big day.

To Ariella, it felt like just another day. She hoped her peaceful life wouldn't change.

She had promised herself, after surviving the bombing accident in her past life, that she would never return to her former profession as a killer.

She was very grateful to whatever powers made that possible.

"I will guide. We need to hurry," Mary said anxiously, clearly worried that if Ariella didn't walk faster, they might miss the event.

Mary was desperate to be selected for Dragon energy resistance. The alternative- joining the soldiers in the war against beasts- terrified her. She hopes to be picked for Dragon resistance energy. She doesn't want to join the soldiers in war against the abyssal beasts.

The sound of horse hooves and seller loud bargains filled the air, and sounds and scents from different directions flooded into Ariella's mind.

She could feel the liveliness in the atmosphere. Different aura colors fluttered about. Even the grass emitted beneath her feet.

She wasn't bothered by her blindness, her sight before brought her only pain and indifference.

As far as there was life in anything, she could see their aura whether good or bad.

She was dragged to the square, girls with of different, bodies, sizes, and ages. Gathered in a line, each spotting degrees of excitement and nervousness.

Today was a turning point for some and a disappointment for some.

In front of the queen was placed a large gray crystal, a castle guard stood beside the crystal and called for the girls to place their hands

"Next!" The guard shouted for the next person when the crystal didn't react. The girl begged to have another try but was removed forcefully from the square.

This process continued, reaching their turn, Mary's hand turned sweaty, Ariella sensed it and patted her hands in comfort.

"We are up next." Mary's tone sounded in a whisper. Holding Ariella's hand tightly.

"Ella, I am scared what if-" Mary's shaking voice was caught shut by the glance of the guard.

With trembling hands, she placed it on the crystal and watched it tremble and hum with energy.

"Pass. Move to the left." The man's flat tone, startled Mary awake, her eyes widened in daze as she moved to the left.

Her heart shook with excitement and she almost screamed out but remembering the occasion she suppressed herself, looking anxiously at Ella.

Ella with a calm mind placed her heart, feeling she wouldn't be picked but shockingly the crystal vibrated stunning her in place.

"Pass. Move to the left." The man repeated his words in a robotic tone, unaware of Ella's chaotic heart.

She followed Mary's aura color and moved towards her.

"We passed. Oh my. This is a life-changing moment for us." Mary whispered excitedly and hugged the dumbfounded Ella tightly.

Ella could sense her peaceful life at this moment was over.

Six years later.

In a mansion in the capital of Elyndor. A black and white-haired woman swung her blind cane.

She was covered in sweat as she swung the cane, the force making cutting sounds in the air.

Ariella practiced for an hour, her body soaked in sweat before she called in the maid to bring in her bath water.

Soaking in the water, she remember how she and Mary were whisked away by some noble under the pretext of adoption.

At the age of fourteen when they both passed the Dragon energy resistance test. It was then they were thrust into the world of nobles and knew the truth.

They were going to be sent to the Dragon realm as brides. In turn, the Dragons will give them mana stones to fight against the abyssal beasts.

A clear transaction between humans and dragons.

"I hope I can crave out the peaceful life I want." She thought out loud, her tone sounding hopeful.

"Ella! Are you done yet? I'm coming in." Mary's lady-like voice which changed after the passage of time echoed through the room.

Ariella was snapped out of her reminiscing thoughts. "Hold on." Her calm tone was heard by Mary, who frowned at being kept waiting.

Her eyes drifted to the wolf-dog, Ella's pet and guide.

White looked at the human in front of him and yawned dots sharp fangs making Mary move back from fear.

She hates coming here whenever this dog is here. "Ella. Come faster or your dog will eat me." Her panicking tone left her lips and she and the dog head gaze.

Seeing Ella coming out, she was stunned for a second by her friend's beautiful serene face. Her black and white hair gave her a unique look, with the laze covered around her eyes.

Even if Mary saw Ella every blessed day she was still moved by her otherworldly beauty and calm grace.

She snapped away from her musing and grabbed Ella's hand under the low growling of white.

"We have things to buy, you know tomorrow is the day we are going for the dragon realm." She chattered endlessly as she listed the things to buy.

Ella could only smile and follow along, already feeling mentally exhausted before the shopping.